Median U.S. inflation expectations for the year ahead rose by 0.3 percentage point to 3.9% in September 2026, the highest level since May 2023, according to the latest Survey of Consumer Expectations. Short‑term price expectations increased across several major spending categories. Expected gasoline price inflation climbed 1.7 percentage points to 4.6%, food to 5.3%, and medical care to 9.1%. Anticipated increases in college tuition reached 6.1%, while expected rent inflation rose to 6.6%. At the three-year horizon, inflation expectations inched up 0.1 percentage point to 3.3%, and five‑year expectations remained unchanged at 3.0%.